Weekly update of key events in music, entertainment and technology compiled by Laura Montarroso, CORD Spain and edited by Anthony Vanger, MD CORD
EMEA.
Imagine playing virtually with your favourite band?
Sounds crazy right? But it could soon become as common as singing along to your favourite track in a Karaoke bar. While VR headsets are currently mostly used for video games, its potential for music apps is growing. According to Ipsos Mori, a research firm, 52% of consumers are most drawn to music experiences on virtual reality.
In a further sign that this trend is catching on, pioneering artist Björk partnered up with HTC to launch a VR album exhibition. This event featured a host of VR installations based around different tracks from her latest album “Vulnicura”. Before the event, the artist shared a video preview via Instagram of what attendees can expect from the VR imaging. Check it out!
http://goo.gl/S9IHyQ
MUSIC + BRANDS
Apple Enlists Fashion Designers to Curate Playlists
Apple Music has announced a fashion curator program, which will spotlight custom curated playlists, art and editorial content from one designer each month. First in line is Alexander Wang, a hip young designer known for collaborating with musicians.
Amazon just made another album on its own ‘label’: Songs Of Summer
Is Amazon a record label? Well, it pays for artists to record material, then compiles that material on albums, and then releases those albums to the public for commercial gain. And now we’ve got another ‘Amazon Music Original’, called Songs of Summer.
DIGITAL + STREAMING
Radiohead Announce A Moon Shaped Pool Worldwide Streaming Event
NME, a British music magazine, explains : “A unique Radiohead event taking place on June 17 at Record Stores Globally features an exclusive day long audio stream from the band, competitions and instructional artworks.” See a list of participating stores here.
Facebook Launches 360-Degree Photos With Paul McCartney
Facebook introduced the ability to post 360-degree photos to the site. To celebrate, the social media giant has recruited Paul McCartney to share one of Facebook’s first 360 photos. It was taken during his stop in Córdoba, Argentina on his ongoing “One on One Tour.”
Apple gives Spotify and TIDAL bigger chunk of subscription cash
Apple announced that it is cutting the revenue share it demands from recurrent third-party subscriptions secured through its AppStore. Disparagingly referred to as the ‘app tax’ by third-party developers, this rule has traditionally seen Apple take 30% of any subscription arrangement agreed through an app on its devices.
MUSIC BUSINESS
Music Downloads Are Collapsing at a Faster Rate Than CDs
According to PwC, a multinational professional services company, projected revenue from downloads is falling at a compound annual rate of 12.3%. That’s a projected drop from $1.8 billion in 2015 to just under $1 billion in 2020. This should place further emphasis on copyright holders to increase their share of revenues from streaming.
FESTIVALS
Snapchat Partners With AEGLive To Bring MusicFestival ‘Live Stories’
EG Live, the world’s second largest festival producer and promoter, has joined forces with Snapchat to bring users ‘Live Stories’ from AEG affiliated festivals. The ‘Live Stories’ will allow users of the app to share their personal festival experiences and contribute to a larger collective story put together by Snapchat. Click here to find out what festivals will first go live on the app!
Beyoncé Sued for Stealing Lemonade Trailer from Short Film!
Beyonce’s visual album, Lemonade, has apparently been lifted from a movie made a year before Lemonade even hit the music scene, according to the director of the film. Matthew Fulks, the filmmaker, claims that Beyonce stole clips from his short film titled ‘Palinoia’.
The two clips are shown below:
L.M : What do you think? A coincidence? Can you copyright the idea of a woman walking down the street smashing windows? Send me comments.
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Anthony Vanger | Anthony@cordww.com
Laura Montarroso | laura.montarroso@cordww.com